Life of W. M. Thackeray

Life of W. M. Thackeray

Life of W. M. Thackeray

Excerpt

This little book was begun by Mr. Merivale, who, however, found himself unable to finish more than the first six chapters, and the supplementary chapter, on Thackeray's friendships, which he had intended to incorporate into his narrative. The task. of completing the volume then devolved on me. As Mr. Merivale was not primarily responsible for the choice of his successor, and has had no opportunity of seeing what I have written, it will be understood how anxious I am that none of my errors of omission or commission should, however lightly, be laid to his charge.

Through the kindness of Thackeray's family, and especially of his daughter, Mrs. Ritchie, certain "Memorials of the Thackeray family," collected by his relatives, Mrs. Bayne and Mrs. Pryme, were placed unreservedly in Mr. Merivale's hands, and, more reservedly, in mine. These Memorials, in so far as they referred to Thackeray, had reference especially to his youth, and use of them has been made in the earlier of the . . .